William Franklin EADS SR was born 10 December, 1824 in Wilkes County, North Carolina, he was the son of John EADS and Mary Polly MASSEY-EADS. On 10 December, 1860 in Davie County, North Carolina he married one, Amanda America Clementine MCDANIEL-EADS, daughter of Alfred Allen MCDANIEL and Consadie EADES-MCDANIEL.
In the 1860 Census for Iredell County, North Carolina, The District South of Rocky Creek,we find William. listed as "Franklin", living in the household of his brother John EADS JR who married Louisa Jane LACKEY. Also living in the household are John and Jane`s children and a Woman named "Mary" whom I believe is Mary Polly MASSEY-EADS, the mother of William Franklin EADS SR and John EADS, we also find William and John`s brother Alfred listed as being a member of the household as well. This census was taken on the 20th day of September, 1860. Well before he married Amanda in December of that same year.
William was often referred to as "Franklin" or "Frank" on most documents. His wife Amanda was also referred to as either "Mandy" or sometimes "Annie".
There was a Biographical Article written in the 1888 Publication entitled "History of Southeast Missouri" by the Goodspeed Publishing Company that read as follows:
"W.F.Eads was born in Wilkes county (NC), and is the son of John and Polly (Massey) Eads. The elder Eads (John) was also born in wilkes county, where he lived and died. He learned the trade of a carpenter,and was considered a fine workman, but he never especially followed the trade, turning his attention to farming, as he owned a splendid farm in his native county. The mother was also born in North Carolina, and there spent her entire life. The father was forty-six years of age when he died from the effects of a cancer. The mother died about one year ago (about 1887), at the advanced age of eight-seven. There were eight children in the family, three of whom are now living: John, Nancy, and William F.; those dead are Alvin, Pinckney, Milly, Alfred, Granberry and James. Mr. Eads (W.F.) was married in North Carolina, in 1859 to Annie McDaniel, and had eleven children, six of them now living. Mr. Eads served in the late war (civil) as a private under Robert E. Lee, thirty-fourth North Carolina Regiment (Confederate); was in the service twelve months. participating in the entire fight known as the Virginia Wilderness and this regiment is credited with opening the firing, lasting for eleven days.He was captured at Hanover Junction, with 900 other comrades, was taken to point lookout, and confined in prison nearly a year, suffering greatly during his term of imprisonment. He was afterward parloed. Mr Eads has devoted his life to farming, and owns 125 acres, 80 of which are under cultivation. He and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church." (c) 1888 Goodspeed Publishing Company
According to Cousin Mary, at FindaGrave she states that "The National Archives has Military service records for William F. Eads, a.k.a. Franklin Eads, Franklin W. Eads, or Franklin Eads There are four company rolls that show he enlisted as a private in company A, 34th regiment North Carolina infantry on Sept, 1,1863 at Camp Vance by Capt. Mclean for a period of three years. The one dated March & April 1864 shows him present as a recruit.May & June 1864 shows him absent and missing in action. July & August 1864 shows him absent in arrest. Sept. & October shows him absent without leave since May 23,1864,Which is when he was captured by Union Troops. A roll of prisner of war card shows him paroled at point lookout MD., and transferred to Aiken's landing, March 14, 1865 for exchange. Another card shows that he arrived at Port Royal, Va. on May 30,1864; that he was captured at Hanover Junction on May 23, 1864; and that he was exchanged March 15, 1865."
Sometime between the time that he was exchanged in 1865 and the time the Census was taken in 1880, this family relocated to Wayne County, Missouri.
I have been unable to locate Amanda or Franklin on any 1870 Census. However in 1880 we find "Franklin" and "Amanda" EADS living in Saint Francis, Wayne County, Missouri. They both were listed as being 50 and 40 years of age. Living in the household along with them were their children: "Roxann" age 19, "Hyatt" (Should read "Wyatt") age 17, Hueston (Huston) age 13, William, age 9, Nancy, age 7 and Mary, age 3. Franklin is listed as being a Farmer. This Census was taken on 30 June, 1880.
In the year 1900 we find them listed as again living in St. Francois Twp near Greenville, Wayne County, Missouri. They are listed as "William F. EADS" and "Amanda EADS" also living in the household is a Five-year old boy, "William A. JOHNSON" he is stated to be their Grandson. We also find their son "Wyatt" still living in their home at the age of "35". His Occupation is listed as a "Farm Laborer". This Census was enumerated on the 12th Day of June,1900.
In the year 1910, when the above Photograph was said to have been taken, "Frank" and "Manda" are still listed as living in St. Francois, Wayne County, Missouri. Also living in the household with them at this time is another one of their Grandson`s "Arthur EADS" age 15.
The last known record we have for William F. EADS is the 1920 Census where he is listed as living in the Household of his Grandson, Arthur W. JOHNSON and his Wife Bertha A. JOHNSON along with their children, Calvin J, age 2, and Ruby A, age 11 months. William was listed as being 90 years old and a Widower.
On 3rd of February, 1928 at the age of 98 years, William Franklin EADS SR passed away. He was laid to rest at the New Prospect Cemetery in Silva, Wayne County, Missouri.
